JPH10201712A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To turn the insert part in the operating section, even if a sheath for washing were fitted to the endoscope's main by fitting member to the main body's holder to be turned together with the insert part being turned together with the sheath for washing the object glass, as the main body's holder is kept held. SOLUTION: A freely turning operation section is provided to the base end of the insert part of main body of the endoscope. A universal cable is extended from the base end side of the operation section, to whose end, a branching connector is fitted. A long solid straight member 9 is also connected to the base end of warped part at the insert part head. A sheath fixing member 10 and the solid part are unified into one unit with the base end of the solid member 9. The sheath fixing member 10 is coupled in a freely turning with the periphery of the solid receiver 33 of the main body 13 of the operation section. Further, a cylindrical pin 11 is projected out of the periphery of the sheath fixing member 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope in which an insertion portion is rotatable with respect to an operation portion and a sheath for cleaning an objective lens is fitted to the insertion portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes have been used in various surgical operations such as endoscopic cholecystectomy. During use, endoscopes used in endoscopic surgery may adhere to body fluids or tissues on the surface of the objective lens and obstruct the field of view. Therefore, in order to clean the surface of the objective lens, a sheath for cleaning the objective lens is fitted to the insertion portion, and the cleaning liquid is supplied through a flow path formed in a gap between the sheath and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion. There has been proposed an endoscope in which a cleaning liquid is sprayed on the surface of a lens. On the other hand, the endoscope proposed in the unpublished application of Japanese Patent Application No. 7-339184 is such that the endoscope insertion portion is rotatable with respect to an operation portion provided at a base end thereof.
A connecting part connecting the front end of the operating part and the base end of the insertion part is provided with a fixed ring having a columnar pin, and a front grip of the operating part to be gripped by the operator is provided on the base end side of the fixed ring. I have. When an objective lens cleaning sheath is attached to such an endoscope, the cleaning sheath covers the entire endoscope insertion section and is fixed to the operation section main body.

When the cleaning sheath is attached to the insertion section of the endoscope in this manner, the operation section and the insertion section are fixed, so that the insertion section cannot be rotated with respect to the operation section. Will occur. Therefore, it is impossible to rotate the operation section with respect to the operation section while holding the endoscope insertion section itself, and the operation section and the insertion section cannot be relatively rotated. Therefore, the operator must once remove the cleaning sheath, grasp the insertion portion, rotate only the insertion portion, and perform the operation of attaching the cleaning sheath again.
However, such a complicated operation causes a longer operation time in endoscopic surgery requiring prompt treatment, and also increases physical and mental distress to the operator and the patient. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has good operability in which the insertion section can be rotated with respect to the operation section even when the cleaning sheath is attached to the endoscope body. It is intended to provide an endoscope.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has an insertion section and an operation section, the insertion section is rotatable with respect to the operation section, and the operation section is used for cleaning an objective lens fitted to the insertion section. In an endoscope provided with a sheath fixing means for fixing a sheath and a main body gripping part, the sheath fixing means is provided on a member which rotates together with the insertion part with respect to the main body gripping part of the operation part, and the insertion part with respect to the operation part. Rotation operation means for gripping the main body gripping part and rotating the sheath for objective lens cleaning and the insertion part together when rotating is performed.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
An endoscope according to an embodiment will be described. (Configuration) FIG. 1 shows an endoscope main body 1. The endoscope main body 1 has an elongated insertion portion 2, an operation portion 3 provided at the base end of the insertion portion 2 so as to be rotatable with respect to the insertion portion 2, and extends from the base end side of the operation portion 3. It has a universal cable 4 and a branch connector 5 provided at the end of the universal cable 4.

The insertion section 2 is provided with a tip 6 at the tip thereof, and an objective lens 7 for an observation window (or imaging window) is attached to the tip of the tip 6. A charge-coupled device (CC) (not shown) is provided in the distal end portion 6 at an image forming position of the objective lens 7.
(Abbreviated as D) are arranged, and these constitute an image pickup means. A proximal end of the distal end portion 6 is provided with a bending portion 8 which can be bent in four directions, up, down, left and right, adjacent to the distal end portion. A hard part 9 made of a hard straight pipe member is connected. At the base end of the rigid portion 9, a sheath fixing portion 10 incorporating a sheath fixing means for fixing an objective lens cleaning sheath described later is provided integrally with the rigid portion 9. The sheath fixing portion 10 is formed of a cylindrical member, and is a rigid portion receiving portion 3 of an operation portion main body 13 of the operation portion 3 described later.
3 is rotatably fitted to the outer periphery of the operation part 3 and forms a part of the operation part 3.

A cylindrical pin 11 protrudes from the outer periphery of the sheath fixing portion 10. Further, a front grip 12 as a first grip of the operation unit 3 is fixedly connected to a base end of the sheath fixing unit 10. The front grip 12 is rotatably attached to the operation unit main body 13 as will be described later, and is a rotary operation for gripping and rotating the insertion unit 2 when rotating the insertion unit 2 with respect to the operation unit 3. It constitutes a grip for the insertion portion of the means.

At the base end of the front grip 12, the curved portion 8 is provided.
There is provided a bending operation section 14 having a built-in bending operation mechanism for performing a bending operation on the. Then, the bending operation unit 14
The main body member 15 is provided with an up / down bending lever 14a for performing an operation of controlling the up / down bending and a left / right bending lever 14b for performing an operation of controlling the left / right bending.
This constitutes a bending operation means for performing a bending operation of the bending portion 8.

A rear grip 16 as a second grip portion having a substantially circular cross section and having a sufficient length for an operator to grip is provided on the proximal end side of the operation portion main body 13. Then, the front grip 12, the main body member 15 of the bending operation section 14,
The rear case 16 forms an outer case of the operation unit body 13. Also, the main body member 15 of the bending operation section 14
The rear grip 16 and the rear grip 16 constitute a main body gripping portion that grips the operation unit 3 when rotating the insertion unit 2 with respect to the operation unit 3.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the cleaning sheath 17 is attached from the insertion section 2 to the operation section 3 of the endoscope main body 1. Here, the cleaning sheath 17 is detachably attached to the endoscope main body 1. The cleaning sheath 17 has a rigid distal end frame 18 and a distal end connected to the rear end of the distal end frame 18.
Has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope body 1,
It also includes a cylindrical surrounding portion 19 surrounding the insertion portion 2, a hollow substantially ring-shaped fixing portion 20 formed at the base end of the surrounding portion 19, a sealing member (not shown), and the like.

The distal end frame 18 of the cleaning sheath 17 is
The insertion portion 2 is attached so as to surround and cover the distal end portion 6, and forms a passage through which the fluid passes by a gap between the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 and the peripheral surface. The end frame 18 is formed with an opening (not shown) which opens toward the outer surface of the objective lens 7 by, for example, opening the center of the end surface. For example, when a cleaning medium (a cleaning liquid as a specific example) is sent from the base end side of the insertion section 2, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the distal end section 6.
Is sent to the center of the distal end face of the distal end portion 6 through the passage around the
It flows into the outer surface of the objective lens 7 at the center of the distal end surface, and the attached matter on the outer surface of the objective lens 7 is washed away. The opening of the end frame 18 is also used as a suction opening (suction port) when performing suction.

On the other hand, the fixing part 20 of the cleaning sheath 17 is provided with a base 21 having a passage communicating with the inner cavity. Further, a cam groove 22 having a width through which the pin 11 of the sheath fixing portion 10 of the endoscope main body 1 can be inserted is formed at the base end of the fixing portion 20 in a substantially L shape as shown in FIG. . The pin 11 is fitted into and engaged with the cam groove 22, and the cleaning sheath 1 is attached to the sheath fixing portion 10 of the endoscope body 1.
7 is fixed. Further, the insertion section 2 is provided with the sheath fixing section 10.
Therefore, the cleaning sheath 17 is fixed integrally with the insertion section 2. Note that a cleaning medium control valve (not shown) is connected to the base 21 so that the cleaning medium can be supplied and sucked.

On the other hand, a camera cable 24 extends from a branch portion 23 of the branch connector 5, and a camera connector 25 is provided at an end thereof.
Is detachably connected to a camera control unit (abbreviated as CCU) (not shown) that performs signal processing on the imaging means. Further, the branch connector 5 is provided with a projecting light guide connector 26 to be attached to a light source device (not shown).

FIG. 3 shows an axial section of a portion extending from a base end portion of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope to a portion of the operation portion main body 13. An up / down bending lever 14a and a left / right bending lever 14b are connected in the operation section main body 13, and each lever 14a, 1
A rotary mechanism 28 for transmitting the rotary motion of 4b to the drum wire 27 is provided. A rotating mechanism 28 is fixed in the operation section main body 13, and the rigid inner frame 2 is fixed to the operation section main body 13.
9 is provided with a partition wall 30 for fitting and fixing. This partition wall 30 is provided with a through hole (not shown) at the center thereof.
The drum wire 27, a signal cable (not shown) and a light guide fiber are inserted through the through holes. Further, the partition wall 30 is sandwiched between the members of the rotating mechanism 28 and the inner frame 29, and these members are fixed by screws 31a.

A rigid portion receiver 33 is connected to a front end of the inner frame 29 via a connection plate 32. Inner frame 29 and connection plate 3
2. The connecting plate 32 and the rigid portion receiving member 33 are each provided with a screw 31.
The connection is fixed by b and 31c, respectively. The rigid portion receiver 33 is fixedly connected to the main body member 15 of the bending operation portion 14 via the connection plate 32, and these constitute the operation portion main body 13 as a base.

The cylindrical portion of the front grip 12 of the operating portion 3 is disposed outside the connecting plate 32, and the base end portion of the front grip 12 is slidable with respect to the main body member 15 of the bending operating portion 14 in a watertight state. It is fitted and fixed. The distal end (tip) of the front grip 12 is also fitted and fixed to the sheath fixing portion 10 in a watertight state. In this case, the cylindrical portion of the front grip 12 and the main body member 15 to which it is fitted are attached.
The water tightness between the sheath and the portion of the sheath fixing portion 10 is ensured by, for example, inserting the O-rings 34a and 34b therebetween. Here, the distal end portion of the rigid portion receiver 33 fixed to the connection plate 32 is configured to be rotatably fitted to the inner surface of the rigid portion 9.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
The rigid portion receiver 33 to which 0 is fitted is provided on a part of its outer surface with a peripheral portion having a small-diameter portion 35a over a half circumference and a large-diameter portion 35b on the remaining half circumference. The small diameter portion 35a has a boundary portion 36 with a step at both ends in the axial direction,
On the wall of the boundary portion 36, the small-diameter portion 35a and the large-diameter portion 35
It is increased to the same outer diameter as b.

The pin 11 is attached to the sheath fixing part 10 by screwing it into a screw hole 37 provided in the sheath fixing part 10. The inner end of the pin 11 is closer to the center than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 35b, and is located outside the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 35a. That is, a pin engaging groove 38 formed by a small-diameter portion 35a extending over half the circumference is formed on the outer periphery of the rigid portion receiving member 33, and the pin 11 is fitted into the pin engaging groove 38 so that the pin engaging groove is formed. The rotation restricting means for moving the pin 11 within the range 38 is constituted. That is, the moving range of the pin 11 is defined by the pin introduction portion and the pin contact portion of the pin locking groove 38 formed in the rigid portion receiver 33 of the operation portion 3. Therefore, the sheath fixing portion 10 is rotatable around the axis in the section (half circumference, that is, the range of 180 °) of the small-diameter portion 35a, and the pin 11 comes into contact with the end of the large-diameter portion 35b and serves as a stopper. . The rotation range of the sheath fixing portion 10 may be any number as long as it is less than 360 °, but 180 ° is particularly desirable. Also,
The small-diameter portion 35a has a boundary 36 having a step in the axial direction.
By increasing the outer diameter to the same as b, the pin 11 and the boundary 3
6 come into contact with each other, which prevents the pin 11 from coming off, so that the sheath fixing portion 10 cannot come off from the rigid portion receiver 33.

As described above, the sheath fixing portion 10 is rotatable with respect to the rigid portion receiver 33, and the movement (play) in the axial direction is minimized by the pin 11. Also, a filler is applied to the threaded portion of the pin 11 to make it watertight when assembled, and a watertight rubber cap, an O-ring, and a filler are used for a connection portion of other external members (not shown), so that the entire endoscope is used. Can be watertight. Further, the drum wire 27 is connected to the angle wire 40 via the wire connection part 39. The angle wire 40 is inserted into the insertion portion 2 and connected to a not-shown curved core tube of the bending portion 8. By pulling this angle wire 40,
The bending portion 8 can be bent in any of the lower, left, and right directions.

(Operation) In the case of using the endoscope configured as described above, the cleaning sheath 1 is inserted into the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope body 1.
7 and the pin 1 in the sheath fixing portion 10 of the endoscope main body 1 in the cam groove 22 in the fixing portion 20 of the cleaning sheath 17.
1 is fitted and engaged, and both are fixed. Then, the endoscope main body 1 is used with the cleaning sheath 17 attached. The surgeon observes a surgical site such as the abdominal cavity of the patient. If you rotate the monitor image in the direction you prefer during this process,
The surgeon grasps the main body member 15 and the rear grip 16 of the bending operation section 14 with one hand, and grasps, for example, the fixing section 20 or the front grip 12 of the cleaning sheath 17 with another hand.
The insertion part 2 is rotated with respect to 3. With this operation, the direction of the image that is easy for the operator to see is obtained, and the subsequent observation is continued.

(Effect) As described above, the sheath fixing portion 10
Is fixed to the insertion section 2 and can be rotated with respect to the operation section main body 13 of the operation section 3, so that the insertion section 2 can be rotated at any time regardless of whether the cleaning sheath 17 is attached or not. Surgery can proceed smoothly. Therefore,
The time required for the operation can be reduced, and the physical and mental distress of the operator and the patient can be reduced. Also, by removing the screwed pin 11, the front grip 12 and the sheath fixing portion 10 can be easily removed, and even if any trouble occurs inside the endoscope, it can be easily repaired.

The sheath fixing section 10 is connected to the operation section main body 13.
The same effect can be obtained even if the connecting portion with the front grip 12 is moved closer to the operation unit body 13 side. In addition, the sheath fixing portion 10 and the front grip 12 may be completely integrated so that the sheath can be rotated at the connection portion with the bending operation portion main body 13, and the same effect can be obtained. Therefore, the rotating portion cannot be located anywhere between the sheath fixing portion 20 of the cleaning sheath 17 and the operation portion main body 13.

[Modification of First Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the front grip 12 of the operation section 3 is fixed to the sheath fixing section 10 so as not to rotate with respect to the sheath fixing section 10. The front grip 12 may rotate with respect to the part 10. In this case, when rotating the insertion section 2 with respect to the operation section 3, the insertion section 2 side is rotated while gripping, for example, the fixing section 20 of the cleaning sheath 17. In addition, in the case of this type, the front grip 12 can be fixed to the operation section main body 13, and in this case, the front grip 12 also forms a part of the main body holding section. Then, the user grips the front grip 12 with one hand, grips a part of the cleaning sheath 17 with the other hand, and rotates the insertion unit 2 with respect to the operation unit 3.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. (Structure) The endoscope according to the second embodiment is a sheath fixing portion 1.
0, for example, the front grip 1
The knurled part 41 was provided on the outer periphery of the tip part of No. 2. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Operation) This is the same as the first embodiment. (Effects) In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the knurl portion 4
The insertion part 2 is easy to be hooked on the surgeon's hand and operated easily.
It becomes easy to rotate between and the operation unit 3.

Third Embodiment (Structure) In this third embodiment, the direction of the pin 11 shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. To the fixing part 2 of the cleaning sheath 17
A color different from 0 is used.

(Operation) Same as in the first embodiment. (Effects) In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, since the direction of the pin 11 coincides with the upward direction of the curve, the upward direction can be confirmed only by looking at the pin 11 at the fixing portion 20. Is different from that of the fixed part 20, which has the effect of being easy to recognize, and makes the operation easier for the surgeon.

The endoscope shown in each of the above embodiments is used in many cases for endoscopic surgery, and in most cases is inserted through a trocar mantle pierced into a living body. In order to install the trocar mantle tube, a method is adopted in which a sharp inner needle is previously attached to the trocar mantle tube, the living body is punctured as it is, and only the inner needle is removed. However,
Since this inner needle is usually made of metal, the shaft following the sharp tip is made of a hollow member such as a pipe for weight reduction,
The sharp tip and the shaft are fixed by brazing or bonding.
These fixing means are relatively easily deteriorated, and in some cases, there is a risk that a sharp tip may fall into a body cavity when puncturing a living body.

On the other hand, the trocar mantle tube 51 and the inner needle 52 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 do not have such a problem. The inner needle 52 inserted into the trocar mantle tube 51 of FIG. 6 has a sharp distal end 53, and a pipe 5 on the proximal side of the distal end 53.
4. The handle 55 at the base end of the pipe 54 is fixed by brazing or bonding, and the tip 53 and the handle 55 are connected by a tension coil spring 56. On the other hand, FIG.
The locking portion 57 having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the tip 53
At the tip of the trocar mantle tube 51. In any case, even if any part of the brazing portion or the bonding portion of the inner needle 52 is broken, the tip 53 is held by the spring 56 and the locking portion 57 and does not fall into the body cavity.

(Appendix) According to the above description, for example, the items listed below and combinations of the respective items can be obtained. 1. It has an insertion section and an operation section, the insertion section is rotatable with respect to the operation section, and the operation section is provided with sheath fixing means for fixing an objective lens cleaning sheath fitted on the insertion section and a main body grip section. In the endoscope, the sheath fixing means is provided on a member that rotates together with the insertion section with respect to the main body grip section of the operation section, and grips the main body grip section when rotating the insertion section with respect to the operation section. An endoscope comprising rotation operation means for rotating an objective lens cleaning sheath and an insertion portion together. 2. An insertion section and an operation section, the insertion section is rotatable with respect to the operation section, and the operation section has a sheath fixing means for fixing an objective lens cleaning sheath fitted on the insertion section, and a bending operation of the insertion section. In the endoscope provided with the bending operation means for performing the operation, it is located between the part of the sheath fixing means and the operation part of the bending operation means, and is gripped and inserted when rotating the insertion part with respect to the operation part. An endoscope in which a holding portion for an insertion portion of a rotation operation means for rotating a portion is arranged. 3. 4. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a rotation range of the insertion portion by the rotation operation means is less than 360 °. 4. The supplementary items 1 to 3, wherein the rotation range is defined by a pin provided on the objective lens cleaning sheath fixing means, and a pin introduction portion and a pin contact portion (stopper) fixed to the operation portion. An endoscope according to claim 1. 5. 5. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the pin is engaged with a cam groove provided in the objective lens cleaning sheath. 6. 6. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a knurl portion is provided on the holding portion for rotating the insertion portion. 7. 7. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the pin has a color different from a color of an exterior of the lens cleaning sheath.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, the insertion section and the objective lens cleaning sheath can be rotated together with the operation section even when the cleaning sheath is mounted. Regardless of whether the objective lens cleaning sheath is attached or not, since the insertion portion can be rotated, the operation can be smoothly performed, and the physical and mental distress of the operator and the patient can be significantly reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view when the cleaning sheath is attached to the endoscope according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a portion ranging from an insertion section to an operation section of the endoscope main body according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sheath fixing portion of an endoscope according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the assembled state of the trocar mantle tube and the inner needle.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where another trocar mantle tube and an inner needle are assembled.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope main body, 2 ... Insertion part, 3 ... Operation part, 4 ... Universal cable, 5 ... Branch connector, 6 ... Tip part, 8 ...
Bending portion, 9: rigid portion, 10: sheath fixing portion, 11: pin, 12: front grip, 13: operating portion main body, 14: bending operating portion, 15: main body member, 16: rear grip, 17: cleaning sheath , 18 ... end frame, 19 ... surrounding part, 20 ... fixed part, 33 ... rigid part receiver, 35a ... small diameter part, 35b ... large diameter part.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An insertion portion rotatable with respect to the operation portion; a sheath fixing means for fixing an objective lens cleaning sheath fitted to the insertion portion; In the endoscope provided with the main body gripping part, the sheath fixing means is provided on a member which rotates together with the insertion part with respect to the main body gripping part of the operation part, and the main body gripping part is rotated when the insertion part is rotated with respect to the operation part. An endoscope comprising rotation operation means for gripping the part and rotating the sheath for objective lens cleaning and the insertion part together.